But under Keene City Manager John MacLean?s proposed budget for fiscal year 2009-10, the city would contribute $5,000 — a far cry from the nearly $70,000 approved last year, The Keene Sentinel reported.

At a budget review session, MacLean called the festival a "signature event." But he also described today?s troubled economy and questioned whether organizers could raise the money from other sources.

William Harris of Center Stage, a nonprofit group that promotes the festival and other community events, appealed to restore the funding. He said otherwise, it's only a matter of time before Center Stage is out of business.